Hartsfield-Jackson to accomodate Airbus A380

ATLANTA — Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport will widen taxiways and a runway and adjust a pair of gates to handle the world’s largest passenger airplane, which is expected to start serving the airport as soon as January.

Korean Air is introducing the Airbus A380 for daily service between Atlanta to Seoul (Incheon), the airport announced Wednesday. The aircraft, which is 238.5 feet long with a wingspan of 262 feet, seats 407 passengers.

“It makes sense that the world’s largest passenger aircraft should have service to and from the world’s busiest airport,” Aviation General Manager Louis Miller said in a news release. “A380 service will enhance Atlanta’s reputation as a world-class city and gateway to the United States.”

To handle the Airbus A380, the will widen taxiways and a runway. Ub addition, the airport will modify gates E1 and E3 in Concourse E to serve the double decker airplane.